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Chapter 2: Character Creation

Step 1: GM Discussion

You and the other players should discuss
the nature of the upcoming game with the GM. Before any characters are created,
the GM should outline such details as genre, setting, campaign duration, story
boundaries, and expected time commitment. As a player, you should listen closely
to the GM’s descriptions since it will impact directly on the character you wish
to create.

Ask for clarification of any rule
modifications the GM plans to use as well as any background restrictions on your
character. If you have any game preferences involving issues such as combat
intensity, maturity level, or drama versus comedy ratio, let the GM know about
them. Help the GM create the game that you all want to play.

Starting Character Level

One of the most important things that the
Game Master should discuss with his or her players is the starting character
Level. While characters traditionally start at 1st Level in most d20 System
games, the GM and players may want to adventure with more experienced — and thus
more powerful and capable — characters. Table 2-1 shows the relationship between
starting character Level and power level.
Characters that begin higher than 1st Level gain all the benefits and special
abilities granted from 1st Level to their current Level and begin the game with
an appropriate number of Experience Points (see the PHB for more information on
Experience Points). This includes the additional Feats and Ability Score
increases presented in Table 5-3: Level-Dependent Benefits.

Table 2-1: Starting Character Level

Starting

Discretionary

Power

Level

Character Level

Character Points

Low-powered game

1st to 4th

40

(or 34 + 1d10)

Average-powered
game

5th to 8th

42

(or 36 + 1d10)

High-powered
game

9th to 12th

44

(or 38 + 1d10)

Very
high-powered game

13th to 16th

46

(or 40 + 1d10)

Extremely
high-powered game

17th to 20th

48

(or 42 + 1d10)

Epic-powered
game

Above 20th

50

(or 44 + 1d10)

Discretionary Character Points

The characters’ starting Level also
determines the number of discretionary Character Points assigned. These
discretionary Character Points are used to pay for his or her Ability Score
Values, Race, Attributes, Skills, and Feats. The GM can either assign all
players an equal number of Character Points, or ask each player to roll dice to
generate a random number (see Table 2-1: Starting Character Level)

Character Points During Level Progression

If the characters start higher than 1st
Level, they may also start with extra Character Points gained from the Special
Ability Level progression of their Class (or Classes). In these instances, the
additional Character Points are added to the discretionary Character Point
total. See the Class Progression charts for more information.

Step 2: Character Outline

A character outline is a broad concept that
provides you with a frame on which to build your character. It is not fully
detailed; there is no need for you to concern yourself with the character’s
specific skills, powers, or background details at this stage. Use the game
boundaries established in your discussion with the GM as the starting point for
your character and build your outline on that foundation. Discuss your character
ideas with the GM to ensure your character will work with those of the other
players and with the overall themes and focus of the campaign.